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ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2004
White’s Store Mitigation Site
Dare County
Project No. 8.T051401
TIP No. R-2551WM
Prepared By:
Office of Natural Environment & Roadside Environmental Unit
North Carolina Department of Transportation
December 2004
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUMMARY………………………………………………….………………………. 1
1.0 INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………... 2
1.1 Project Description………………………………………………….. 2
1.2 Purpose……………………………………………………………… 2
1.3 Project History………………………………………………………. 2
2.0 HYDROLOGY…………………………………………………………………. 4
2.1 Success Criteria…………………………………………………….. 4
2.2 Hydrologic Description…………………………………………….. 4
2.3 Results of Hydrologic Monitoring…………………………………. 4
2.3.1 Site Data…………………………………….……………… 4
2.3.2 Climatic Data……………………………………………….. 4
2.4 Conclusions…………………………………….…………………… 6
3.0 VEGETATION………………………………………………………………… 8
3.1 Success Criteria…………………………………………………….. 8
3.2 Description of Species……………………………………………… 8
3.3 Results of Vegetation Monitoring…………………………………. 9
3.4 Conclusions……………………....…………………………………. 10
4.0 OVERALL CONCLUSIONS/ RECOMMENDATIONS……………………. 10
TABLES
TABLE 1 – VEGETATION MONITORING STATISTICS ….………………….. 9
FIGURES
FIGURE 1 – SITE LOCATION MAP……………………………………….…….. 3
FIGURE 2 – GAUGE LOCATION MAP………………………………….……… 5
FIGURE 3 – 30-70 PERCENTILE GRAPH……………………………………… 7
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A – GAUGE DATA GRAPHS
APPENDIX B – SITE PHOTOS AND VEGETATION PLOT/ MONITORING
GAUGE MAP
1
SUMMARY
The following report summarizes the monitoring activities that have occurred in the past
year on the White’s Store Mitigation Site. The site was constructed and originally
planted in May 2001 and was designed as saw grass marsh restoration. The entire site
serves as mitigation for impacts associated with construction of US 64-264.
Two groundwater-monitoring gauges were installed on the site in March 2002. At the
request of the resource agencies, these two gauges were reset in May 2003 as surface
water gauges that record data in 3-hour intervals. The site is a wind driven tidal system;
therefore, success will be measured by the occurrence of inundation (occasional
flooding is required for success). For the 2004-year, the two surface gauges exhibited
frequent flooding on the site. Therefore, the White’s Store Mitigation Site fulfilled the
hydrology success requirement.
An on-site meeting with agency personnel was held on July 28, 2004, to review the
site’s current elevation. The agencies and NCDOT agreed that the on-site elevations
were similar to those at the reference site. It also appears that the wind driven tidal
system is inundating the site occasionally.
Soil samples were taken at the reference and mitigation sites on April 12, 2004 for soil
condition comparison pertaining to previous lack of vegetation survival. The sample
results did not determine why the planted vegetation was not surviving. The 2004
monitoring has shown a scale value of 4.6, which is on track for success. Small areas
of phragmites have been noted on the site. NCDOT has treated the site to control
phragmites in 2002 and 2003. During the on-site agency meeting (July 2004), it was
agreed that NCDOT could propose to discontinue vegetation monitoring during the
2004-monitoring year.
Based on the successful monitoring results for the 2004 growing season, NCDOT
proposes to discontinue hydrologic and vegetation monitoring at White’s Store
Mitigation Site.
2
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Project Description
The White’s Store Wetland Mitigation Site is located west of Manns Harbor in Dare
County (Figure 1). Built in early 2001, the site serves as mitigation for impacts
associated with US 64-264 construction (USACE Action ID No. 199502334). The site
was designed to provide 0.21 acres of saw grass marsh mitigation.
1.2 Purpose
In order to demonstrate successful mitigation, hydrologic and vegetative monitoring
must be conducted for a minimum of five years or until the site is deemed successful.
The site is a wind driven tidal system; therefore it will be deemed successful when the
site demonstrates occasional inundation. The following report details the results of
hydrologic and vegetative monitoring during 2004 at the White’s Store Mitigation Site.
Included in this report are analyses of both hydrologic and vegetative monitoring results,
as well as local climate conditions throughout the growing season.
1.3 Project History
May 2001 Site Constructed
May 2001 Site Planted
August 2001 Vegetation Monitoring (1 yr.)
March 2002 Monitoring Gauges Installed
March - November 2002 Hydrologic Monitoring (1 yr.)
May 2002 Site Replanted
August 2002 Vegetation Monitoring (1 yr. Restart)
November 2002 Site Treated for Phragmites
April 2003 Site Tilled
April 2003 Site Replanted
May 2003 Monitoring Gauges Reset as Surface Gauges
September 2003 Vegetation Monitoring (1 yr. Restart)
October 2003 Site Treated for Phragmites
March - November 2003 Hydrologic Monitoring (2 yr.)
July 2004 Vegetation Monitoring (2 yr.)
March - November 2004 Hydrologic Monitoring (3 yr.)
3
Figure 1. Site Location Map
White’s Store
Mitigation Site
US 64
US 264
US 64-264
Bypass
4
2.0 HYDROLOGY
2.1 Success Criteria
There are not written success criteria for the White’s Store Mitigation Site. The
hydrologic monitoring aspect involves the use of surface water gauges. The site is a
wind driven tidal system; therefore, it will be deemed successful when the site
demonstrates occasional flooding. Groundwater monitoring is not required on this site
(tidal system).
2.2 Hydrologic Description
The site was constructed by grading to a natural wetland elevation in order to replicate
the hydrology of adjacent emergent communities that were also used as reference
ecosystems. Two groundwater-monitoring gauges were installed on the site in March
2002. At the request of the resource agencies, these two gauges were reset in May
2003 as surface water gauges that record data in 3-hour intervals (Figure 2).
2.3 Results of Hydrologic Monitoring
2.3.1 Site Data
The resource agencies in conjunction with NCDOT decided that the federal wetland
success criteria guidelines did not pertain to the White’s Store Mitigation Site, since it is
a wind driven tidal system. It was determined that in order for the site to achieve
hydrologic success, it must exhibit occasional surface flooding.
2.3.2 Climatic Data
Figure 3 represents an examination of the local climate in comparison with historical
data in order to determine whether 2004 was “average” in terms of climate conditions.
The two lines represent the 30th and 70th percentiles of monthly precipitation for Manteo,
NC. The bars are monthly rainfall totals for 2003 and 2004. The historical data was
collected from the State Climate Office of North Carolina.
􀀀
􀀀
􀀀
􀀀
􀀀
􀀀
6
For the 2004-year, November (03’), January, March, and October experienced below
average rainfall. The months of February, April, May, July, and November all recorded
average rainfall for the site. December (03’), June, August, and September
experienced above average rainfall. The rainfall data from the onsite rain gauge was
used for the months of September-November. Overall, 2004 experienced an average
rainfall year.
2.4 Conclusions
The 2004 hydrologic monitoring indicated that both surface gauges met the success
criteria showing frequent flooding throughout the growing season. The White’s Store
Mitigation Site has fulfilled the hydrology success requirement. NCDOT proposes to
discontinue hydrologic monitoring at White’s Store Mitigation Site.
7
Figure 3. 30-70 Percentile Graph
White's Store 30-70 Percentile Graph
Manteo, NC Monthly Rainfall
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Nov 03' Dec 03' Jan 04' Feb 04' Mar 04' Apr 04' May Jun 04' Jul 04' Aug Sep 04' Oct 04' Nov 04' Dec 04'
DATE
Precipitation (in.)
2003 Rainfall 2004 Rainfall 30th Percentile 70th Percentile
30th Percentile
70th Percentile
8
3.0 VEGETATION: WHITE STORE MITIGATION SITE
(YEAR 2 MONITORING)
3.1 Success Criteria
The success of marsh vegetation will be determined in accordance with NMFS
Guidelines. Monitoring plots found to be located within the open water channel
will not be evaluated, and will not count in the final count of plots. The vegetation
component of the wetland site will be deemed successful if the following criteria
are met.
1. At year five, the average of all plots should have a scale value of 5
(75% vegetative cover) consisting of wetland herbaceous species, not
including any invasive species.
2. A minimum of 70% of the plots shall contain the target (planted)
species.
3.2 Description of Species
The following species was planted in the Wetland Restoration Area:
Cladium jamaicense, Sawgrass
9
3.3 Results of Vegetation Monitoring
Plot #
Scale Factor
Cladium jamaicense
Frequency
1 5.0
2 5.0
3 5.0
4 4.0 􀀖􁘀 􀀖􁘵
5 5.0 􀀖􁘀 􀀖􁘶
6 5.0 􀀖􁘀 􀀖􁘷
7 5.0
8 4.0
9 5.0
10 4.0
11 4.0
12 5.0
13 4.0
14 5.0
15 5.0 􀀖􁘀 􀀖􁘱
16 5.0 􀀖􁘀 􀀖􁘱
17 5.0 􀀖􁘀 􀀖􁘱
18 5.0 􀀖􁘀 􀀖􁘱
19 5.0 􀀖􁘀 􀀖􁘲
20 4.0 􀀖􁘀 􀀖􁘲
21 1.0
22 4.0
23 5.0 􀀖􁘀 􀀖􁘲
24 5.0
25 5.0 􀀖􁘀 􀀖􁘲
26 5.0
27 5.0
28 5.0
29 4.0 􀀖􁘀 􀀖􁘳
30 5.0 ���􁘀 􀀖􁙆
Frequency (Percentage of Plots 43.3%
with Desired Species)
Sum Scale Value 138.0
Total Number of Plots 30
Vegetative Cover (Scale Value) 4.6
10
Site Notes: The following species were also noted in the monitoring plots. The
percentage of plots the species was found in is following the species in
parentheses (i.e. 14% of the plots contain Spartina patens)
Spartina patens (14), cattails (14), Baccharis sp. (1), wire grass (2), Scirpus sp.
(20), pennywort (1), phragmites (3), morning glory (1), and water grass (2)
3.4 Conclusions
In May 2001, the White’s Store Mitigation Site was planted with approximately
6,000 sawgrass plants. Only three-fourths of the site was planted due to the
sawgrass availability at that time. In May 2002, the entire site was replanted with
approximately 9,000 sawgrass plants. In April 2003, the entire site was tilled and
replanted with approximately 9,700 sawgrass plants. The 2004 monitoring has
shown a scale value of 4.6, which is on track for success. Several other marsh
species are present on the site.
During the on-site agency meeting (July 2004), it was agreed that NCDOT could
propose to discontinue vegetation monitoring during the 2004-monitoring year.
NCDOT proposes to discontinue vegetation monitoring at the White’s Store
Mitigation Site.
4.0 OVERALL CONCLUSIONS/ RECOMMENDATIONS
An on-site meeting with agency personnel was held on July 28, 2004, to review
the site’s current elevation. The agencies and NCDOT agreed that the on-site
elevations were similar to those at the reference site. It appears that the wind
driven tidal system is inundating the site occasionally. For the 2004-year, the two
surface gauges met the success criteria by exhibiting frequent flooding on the
site.
Soil samples were taken at the reference and mitigation sites on April 12, 2004
for soil condition comparison pertaining to previous lack of vegetation survival.
The sample results did not determine why the planted vegetation was not
surviving. The 2004 monitoring has shown a scale value of 4.6, which is on track
for success.
During the on-site agency meeting (July 2004), it was agreed that NCDOT could
propose to discontinue vegetation monitoring during the 2004-monitoring year.
Based on the successful monitoring results for the 2004 growing season,
NCDOT proposes to discontinue hydrologic and vegetation monitoring at White’s
Store Mitigation Site.
11
APPENDIX A
GAUGE DATA GRAPHS
12
APPENDIX B
SITE PHOTOS AND VEGETATION PLOT/
MONITORING GAUGE MAP
White’s Store
Photo 1 Photo 2
2004

ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2004
White’s Store Mitigation Site
Dare County
Project No. 8.T051401
TIP No. R-2551WM
Prepared By:
Office of Natural Environment & Roadside Environmental Unit
North Carolina Department of Transportation
December 2004
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUMMARY………………………………………………….………………………. 1
1.0 INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………... 2
1.1 Project Description………………………………………………….. 2
1.2 Purpose……………………………………………………………… 2
1.3 Project History………………………………………………………. 2
2.0 HYDROLOGY…………………………………………………………………. 4
2.1 Success Criteria…………………………………………………….. 4
2.2 Hydrologic Description…………………………………………….. 4
2.3 Results of Hydrologic Monitoring…………………………………. 4
2.3.1 Site Data…………………………………….……………… 4
2.3.2 Climatic Data……………………………………………….. 4
2.4 Conclusions…………………………………….…………………… 6
3.0 VEGETATION………………………………………………………………… 8
3.1 Success Criteria…………………………………………………….. 8
3.2 Description of Species……………………………………………… 8
3.3 Results of Vegetation Monitoring…………………………………. 9
3.4 Conclusions……………………....…………………………………. 10
4.0 OVERALL CONCLUSIONS/ RECOMMENDATIONS……………………. 10
TABLES
TABLE 1 – VEGETATION MONITORING STATISTICS ….………………….. 9
FIGURES
FIGURE 1 – SITE LOCATION MAP……………………………………….…….. 3
FIGURE 2 – GAUGE LOCATION MAP………………………………….……… 5
FIGURE 3 – 30-70 PERCENTILE GRAPH……………………………………… 7
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A – GAUGE DATA GRAPHS
APPENDIX B – SITE PHOTOS AND VEGETATION PLOT/ MONITORING
GAUGE MAP
1
SUMMARY
The following report summarizes the monitoring activities that have occurred in the past
year on the White’s Store Mitigation Site. The site was constructed and originally
planted in May 2001 and was designed as saw grass marsh restoration. The entire site
serves as mitigation for impacts associated with construction of US 64-264.
Two groundwater-monitoring gauges were installed on the site in March 2002. At the
request of the resource agencies, these two gauges were reset in May 2003 as surface
water gauges that record data in 3-hour intervals. The site is a wind driven tidal system;
therefore, success will be measured by the occurrence of inundation (occasional
flooding is required for success). For the 2004-year, the two surface gauges exhibited
frequent flooding on the site. Therefore, the White’s Store Mitigation Site fulfilled the
hydrology success requirement.
An on-site meeting with agency personnel was held on July 28, 2004, to review the
site’s current elevation. The agencies and NCDOT agreed that the on-site elevations
were similar to those at the reference site. It also appears that the wind driven tidal
system is inundating the site occasionally.
Soil samples were taken at the reference and mitigation sites on April 12, 2004 for soil
condition comparison pertaining to previous lack of vegetation survival. The sample
results did not determine why the planted vegetation was not surviving. The 2004
monitoring has shown a scale value of 4.6, which is on track for success. Small areas
of phragmites have been noted on the site. NCDOT has treated the site to control
phragmites in 2002 and 2003. During the on-site agency meeting (July 2004), it was
agreed that NCDOT could propose to discontinue vegetation monitoring during the
2004-monitoring year.
Based on the successful monitoring results for the 2004 growing season, NCDOT
proposes to discontinue hydrologic and vegetation monitoring at White’s Store
Mitigation Site.
2
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Project Description
The White’s Store Wetland Mitigation Site is located west of Manns Harbor in Dare
County (Figure 1). Built in early 2001, the site serves as mitigation for impacts
associated with US 64-264 construction (USACE Action ID No. 199502334). The site
was designed to provide 0.21 acres of saw grass marsh mitigation.
1.2 Purpose
In order to demonstrate successful mitigation, hydrologic and vegetative monitoring
must be conducted for a minimum of five years or until the site is deemed successful.
The site is a wind driven tidal system; therefore it will be deemed successful when the
site demonstrates occasional inundation. The following report details the results of
hydrologic and vegetative monitoring during 2004 at the White’s Store Mitigation Site.
Included in this report are analyses of both hydrologic and vegetative monitoring results,
as well as local climate conditions throughout the growing season.
1.3 Project History
May 2001 Site Constructed
May 2001 Site Planted
August 2001 Vegetation Monitoring (1 yr.)
March 2002 Monitoring Gauges Installed
March - November 2002 Hydrologic Monitoring (1 yr.)
May 2002 Site Replanted
August 2002 Vegetation Monitoring (1 yr. Restart)
November 2002 Site Treated for Phragmites
April 2003 Site Tilled
April 2003 Site Replanted
May 2003 Monitoring Gauges Reset as Surface Gauges
September 2003 Vegetation Monitoring (1 yr. Restart)
October 2003 Site Treated for Phragmites
March - November 2003 Hydrologic Monitoring (2 yr.)
July 2004 Vegetation Monitoring (2 yr.)
March - November 2004 Hydrologic Monitoring (3 yr.)
3
Figure 1. Site Location Map
White’s Store
Mitigation Site
US 64
US 264
US 64-264
Bypass
4
2.0 HYDROLOGY
2.1 Success Criteria
There are not written success criteria for the White’s Store Mitigation Site. The
hydrologic monitoring aspect involves the use of surface water gauges. The site is a
wind driven tidal system; therefore, it will be deemed successful when the site
demonstrates occasional flooding. Groundwater monitoring is not required on this site
(tidal system).
2.2 Hydrologic Description
The site was constructed by grading to a natural wetland elevation in order to replicate
the hydrology of adjacent emergent communities that were also used as reference
ecosystems. Two groundwater-monitoring gauges were installed on the site in March
2002. At the request of the resource agencies, these two gauges were reset in May
2003 as surface water gauges that record data in 3-hour intervals (Figure 2).
2.3 Results of Hydrologic Monitoring
2.3.1 Site Data
The resource agencies in conjunction with NCDOT decided that the federal wetland
success criteria guidelines did not pertain to the White’s Store Mitigation Site, since it is
a wind driven tidal system. It was determined that in order for the site to achieve
hydrologic success, it must exhibit occasional surface flooding.
2.3.2 Climatic Data
Figure 3 represents an examination of the local climate in comparison with historical
data in order to determine whether 2004 was “average” in terms of climate conditions.
The two lines represent the 30th and 70th percentiles of monthly precipitation for Manteo,
NC. The bars are monthly rainfall totals for 2003 and 2004. The historical data was
collected from the State Climate Office of North Carolina.
􀀀
􀀀
􀀀
􀀀
􀀀
􀀀
6
For the 2004-year, November (03’), January, March, and October experienced below
average rainfall. The months of February, April, May, July, and November all recorded
average rainfall for the site. December (03’), June, August, and September
experienced above average rainfall. The rainfall data from the onsite rain gauge was
used for the months of September-November. Overall, 2004 experienced an average
rainfall year.
2.4 Conclusions
The 2004 hydrologic monitoring indicated that both surface gauges met the success
criteria showing frequent flooding throughout the growing season. The White’s Store
Mitigation Site has fulfilled the hydrology success requirement. NCDOT proposes to
discontinue hydrologic monitoring at White’s Store Mitigation Site.
7
Figure 3. 30-70 Percentile Graph
White's Store 30-70 Percentile Graph
Manteo, NC Monthly Rainfall
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Nov 03' Dec 03' Jan 04' Feb 04' Mar 04' Apr 04' May Jun 04' Jul 04' Aug Sep 04' Oct 04' Nov 04' Dec 04'
DATE
Precipitation (in.)
2003 Rainfall 2004 Rainfall 30th Percentile 70th Percentile
30th Percentile
70th Percentile
8
3.0 VEGETATION: WHITE STORE MITIGATION SITE
(YEAR 2 MONITORING)
3.1 Success Criteria
The success of marsh vegetation will be determined in accordance with NMFS
Guidelines. Monitoring plots found to be located within the open water channel
will not be evaluated, and will not count in the final count of plots. The vegetation
component of the wetland site will be deemed successful if the following criteria
are met.
1. At year five, the average of all plots should have a scale value of 5
(75% vegetative cover) consisting of wetland herbaceous species, not
including any invasive species.
2. A minimum of 70% of the plots shall contain the target (planted)
species.
3.2 Description of Species
The following species was planted in the Wetland Restoration Area:
Cladium jamaicense, Sawgrass
9
3.3 Results of Vegetation Monitoring
Plot #
Scale Factor
Cladium jamaicense
Frequency
1 5.0
2 5.0
3 5.0
4 4.0 􀀖􁘀 􀀖􁘵
5 5.0 􀀖􁘀 􀀖􁘶
6 5.0 􀀖􁘀 􀀖􁘷
7 5.0
8 4.0
9 5.0
10 4.0
11 4.0
12 5.0
13 4.0
14 5.0
15 5.0 􀀖􁘀 􀀖􁘱
16 5.0 􀀖􁘀 􀀖􁘱
17 5.0 􀀖􁘀 􀀖􁘱
18 5.0 􀀖􁘀 􀀖􁘱
19 5.0 􀀖􁘀 􀀖􁘲
20 4.0 􀀖􁘀 􀀖􁘲
21 1.0
22 4.0
23 5.0 􀀖􁘀 􀀖􁘲
24 5.0
25 5.0 􀀖􁘀 􀀖􁘲
26 5.0
27 5.0
28 5.0
29 4.0 􀀖􁘀 􀀖􁘳
30 5.0 ���􁘀 􀀖􁙆
Frequency (Percentage of Plots 43.3%
with Desired Species)
Sum Scale Value 138.0
Total Number of Plots 30
Vegetative Cover (Scale Value) 4.6
10
Site Notes: The following species were also noted in the monitoring plots. The
percentage of plots the species was found in is following the species in
parentheses (i.e. 14% of the plots contain Spartina patens)
Spartina patens (14), cattails (14), Baccharis sp. (1), wire grass (2), Scirpus sp.
(20), pennywort (1), phragmites (3), morning glory (1), and water grass (2)
3.4 Conclusions
In May 2001, the White’s Store Mitigation Site was planted with approximately
6,000 sawgrass plants. Only three-fourths of the site was planted due to the
sawgrass availability at that time. In May 2002, the entire site was replanted with
approximately 9,000 sawgrass plants. In April 2003, the entire site was tilled and
replanted with approximately 9,700 sawgrass plants. The 2004 monitoring has
shown a scale value of 4.6, which is on track for success. Several other marsh
species are present on the site.
During the on-site agency meeting (July 2004), it was agreed that NCDOT could
propose to discontinue vegetation monitoring during the 2004-monitoring year.
NCDOT proposes to discontinue vegetation monitoring at the White’s Store
Mitigation Site.
4.0 OVERALL CONCLUSIONS/ RECOMMENDATIONS
An on-site meeting with agency personnel was held on July 28, 2004, to review
the site’s current elevation. The agencies and NCDOT agreed that the on-site
elevations were similar to those at the reference site. It appears that the wind
driven tidal system is inundating the site occasionally. For the 2004-year, the two
surface gauges met the success criteria by exhibiting frequent flooding on the
site.
Soil samples were taken at the reference and mitigation sites on April 12, 2004
for soil condition comparison pertaining to previous lack of vegetation survival.
The sample results did not determine why the planted vegetation was not
surviving. The 2004 monitoring has shown a scale value of 4.6, which is on track
for success.
During the on-site agency meeting (July 2004), it was agreed that NCDOT could
propose to discontinue vegetation monitoring during the 2004-monitoring year.
Based on the successful monitoring results for the 2004 growing season,
NCDOT proposes to discontinue hydrologic and vegetation monitoring at White’s
Store Mitigation Site.
11
APPENDIX A
GAUGE DATA GRAPHS
12
APPENDIX B
SITE PHOTOS AND VEGETATION PLOT/
MONITORING GAUGE MAP
White’s Store
Photo 1 Photo 2
2004